Get ready: Savannah's St. Patrick's party zone will extend to Broughton

Richard Burkhart/Savannah Morning News Courtney Rahn and her daughter Ashley,4, give a smooch to a friend in the 3rd Infantry Divison as he marches along Broughton Street Saturday during the annual St. Patrick's Day Parade in 2012.

“Expanding the entertainment allowed the de-centralization of people on River Street,” said Mayor Pro Tem Van Johnson, whose district includes downtown Savannah. “It had become too congested on River Street. This is also a community-wide celebration, and we want to ensure that more businesses can take advantage of it and more people can move from business to business.”

The Savannah Waterfront Association, City Market Association and the Downtown Business Association will operate more than 20 stands for wristband sales. Each will be staffed with a bar card-certified attendant and a sheriff's deputy. Twelve of the stations will accept credit cards.

Roving salespeople also will work the crowds to speed sales. City officials also are working with local hotels to get bar card-certified personnel to handle wristband sales. Bar cards are a city-implemented training program that certifies bartenders and other wait staff are skilled at spotting fake IDs and recognizing signs of impairment in drinkers.

“We’re encouraging people if they know they’re going to be in the control zone to get the wristband ahead of time,” said Marty Johnston, the city’s director of special projects.

Designated festival hours from 8 a.m. to 3 a.m. March 15 and from 5 p.m. to 3 a.m. March 16. Live outdoor entertainment in the control zone will end at midnight both days.

River Street will be closed to traffic, but Broughton and other streets won’t be closed to vehicle traffic unless law enforcement officers on scene decide it’s necessary, Johnston said.

City officials haven't shared details of the plan with downtown business owners, nor has the Downtown Business Association. Johnston said the city expects to schedule a meeting next week, and Ruel Joyner, president of the business association, said businesses should be getting a statement today. Several business owners, who were sharing what bits and pieces they knew, were concerned Wednesday.

Melissa Swanson, an owner of The Rail Pub on West Congress Street, wasn’t sure whether she as a bar owner would be required to stop her patrons if they tried to leave with a to-go cup, which is normally allowed under city ordinance. Nor was she sure whether they would be allowed to drink inside if they didn’t have a wristband.

Customers can drink inside without a wristband, Johnston said, and bar personnel will not be responsible for making sure customers have wristbands. That’s up to the patrons, she said. That eased some, but not all, of Swanson’s concerns.

“The locals are saying we’re not going to come down if I have to pay $5,” she said.

At Vinnie Van Go-Go’s, Paul Miller is wondering the same thing.

“I just don't think it’s fair for Savannahians to have to pay $5 for a wristband to drink out of to-go cups,” he said.

Miller also felt the Waterfront Association was “encroaching” into the City Market area and using the city of Savannah to promote the association’s interests. Joyner and Bill Dickinson, president of the Waterfront association and CEO of Wet Willie’s, assured that this joint partnership will offer a better St. Patrick’s Day festival and the promise of better festivals.

The immediate difference festival-goers will notice this St. Patrick’s Day over last is the 40 stages for live bands spread from River Street to Broughton Street. Last year, River Street had one live band and a DJ for much of the celebration. Wristband sales also will help pay for extra security, Dickinson said.

The city of Savannah gets $1 from each wristband sold. The remaining $4 is divided by the three business groups. Once all expenses are covered, Dickinson said, the three organizations will divide the profits based on point of sale. Money sold by a City Market vendor goes to City Market and so on. The three organizations then will agree on a future festival, which also will be held in the same festival zone.

“This is probably the most important thing when it comes to festivals and events that’s happened in Savannah in my 25 years,” Dickinson said.

Joyner was equally enthusiastic. He understands that some people may have reservations, but he thinks those doubts will be erased once negotiated details are explained. It’s the first time in more than a decade, he said, that the three organizations, the Tourism Leadership Council and city staff and city leaders have worked together. He believes it will save the city money and lead to better festivals.

“It’s going to turn Savannah really into a world-class city,” he said. “It’s going to turn Savannah into something the people are really proud of.”

In other action:

• Council will vote on a recommendation against allowing double-decker tour buses to operate in the Historic District.

• Victorian District residents are expected to continue their opposition to another convenience store acquiring a package liquor license.

IF YOU GO

WHAT: Savannah City Council

WHEN: Workshop at 10 a.m.; regular meeting at 2 p.m.

WHERE: City Hall, 2 E. Bay St.

ON THE WEB: watch the regular meeting live at savannahnow.com; follow reporter @LesleyConn on Twitter

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This is nothing more than a money grab with the respective associations in cahoots with the City. How does charging people 5 bucks a piece make you a "world class" city...sounds like Moscow world class to me. Someday there will be a bar owners association in this town so they can collectively deal with this government that only takes advantage of them at every opportunity.

This year, I will be snapping pictures of the drunks and liter left by the partiers of St. Patrick's Day. Then, I'll do a comparative analysis of the trash left during Orange Crush versus that of St. Patrick's Day. I can't wait for the outcome. It's our turn now. Go Figure......

Ok... the CITY of Savannah AND the merchants assoc. are charging FIVE dollars to help offset cost involved with EXTRA POLICE, CHECKING I.D. s purchasing INSURANCE, Renting PORTO-LETS, CLEAN UP ... but other than that there are almost just alike.

That's the kind of "in your face" confrontational attitude that will assure you will have a pleasant day at the beach. It's not about minority access to the beach. Come on any of the other 364 days of the year and you will see people of all races peacefully enjoying the beach with no problems and leaving a minimum mess. If you come to the beach looking for trouble, I feel sure you are going to find it.